Trish Aldrich gave a presentation at the Nahant Garden Club on invasive plant removal and native
perennial planting at Baileys Hill and Lodge Park.
Baileys Hill, a hilltop open space with
panoramic views and home to the Nahant Heritage Trail, was recently restored with a Community Preservation
Act grant and community volunteers.
Lodge Park encompasses nearly 10 acres at the eastern tip of
Nahant. The coastal grassland with sweeping ocean views is now undergoing restoration thanks to
implementation of the Lodge Park
Management Plan prepared by Mass Audubon.
Invasive plants are species introduced from another region — often Europe or Asia — that spread aggressively and outcompetes native plants in their new home.
Invasive plants spread quickly because they have no natural predators. There are no insects that eat them nor diseases that stop them. They grow faster, spread farther, and crowd out everything.
Why Does It Matter? Native wildlife — insects, birds, bees — evolved with native plants. When invasives take over, they destroy the food web that sustains life.